Gladys Rea Melvin Branning, 75 of Alford, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Bay Medical center in Panama City, Florida. Gladys was born July 16, 1938 in Washington County to George Wesley and Roxie (Kent) Melvin. Gladys had lived in the panhandle since 1976. She worked as a seamstress for the Cottondale Sewing Factory. She was preceded in death by her parents: George and Roxie Melvin; husband; Willard Branning; daughter: Wilma Mathes; brother: George Melvin; two sisters: Mary Merle Chance, Doylene Daniels. She is survived by her two sons: Willard Branning (Carol) of Kinston, Al., Daryl Branning of Alford, Fl.; two daughters: Harriet Barnes (Freddie) of Steel City, Fl., Cheryl Branning-Pilla of Lynn Haven, Fl.; three brothers: James Melvin (Nancy) of Alford, Fl., Glen Melvin (Cheryl) of Castleberry, Fl., Tommy Melvin (Donna) of Arizona; three sisters: Brenda Isler (Bobby) of Alford, Fl., Edna Daniels of Alford, Fl., Diane Wade (Mark) of Ocala, Fl.; sister-in-law: Iris Melvin; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; one great great grandchild. Services will be held 10a.m. Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Demascus Free Will Baptist Church in Marianna, Florida with Pastor Ezra Caynor and Rev. James Vickery officiating. Visitation will be held 6-8p.m. Monday, September 16, 2013 at Demascus Free Will Baptist Church. Interment will follow in New Salem cemetery in Kynesville. Obert Funeral Home of Chipley directing.